This page contains information on specific filing dates for each election year, how to become a candidate, how to create a political party, campaign finance requirements, state agency contacts involved in the election process, and term limits in Oklahoma. Information on running for election as a presidential candidate or for county and municipal offices is not included.

Note: If you have any questions or comments about this page, email us.

The candidate filing period for the 2014 elections begins April 9, 2014 and ends April 11, 2014.[1] Any challenges to a candidate's candidacy must be filed by April 15, 2014.[2] Groups wishing to form new political parties for the 2014 elections must file their Notice of Intent and qualifying petitions by March 1, 2014.[3]

In some states, a candidate may choose to have a label other than that of an officially recognized party appear alongside his or her name on the ballot. Such labels are called political party designations. A political party designation would be used when a candidate qualifies as an independent, but prefers to use a different label. Oklahoma[5]does not allow candidates to identify in this way. A total of 25 states allow candidates to use political party designations in non-presidential elections.{{{Reference}}}

The 11 states listed below (and Washington, D.C.) do not provide a process for political organizations to gain qualified status in advance of an election. Instead, in these states, an aspirant party must first field candidates using party designations. If the candidate or candidates win the requisite votes, the organization may then be recognized as an official political party. In these states, a political party can be formed only if the candidate in the general election obtains a specific number of votes. The number of votes required and type of race vary from state to state. Details can be found on the state-specific requirements pages.[6]

Process to establish a political party

Gaining status

The first step in forming a new political party in Oklahoma is to file a "notice of intent" form with the Oklahoma State Election Board. This form can be filed at any time except between March 1 and November 15 of even-numbered years.[7]

Once the notice of intent form is filed, the new political party must circulate a qualifying petition to collect signatures of registered voters equal to at least 5 percent of the total votes cast in the last general election for governor or president. The qualifying petition can be circulated for up to one year after a Notice of Intent form is filed, but it cannot be circulated between March 1 and November 15 of any even-numbered year. To qualify as a political party in time to access the ballot in an election year, the petition must be filed by March 1 of that year. If the Oklahoma State Election Board finds that the qualifying petition contains enough valid signatures, the political party will be officially recognized by the state.[7] As an officially recognized political party, it may nominate candidates at a primary election.[8]

Maintaining status

To continue to be officially recognized by the state, a political party's candidate for governor or president in a general election must receive at least 10 percent of the vote. If the candidate fails to receive 10 percent of the vote, the party will cease to be recognized by the state. A political party that has lost its recognition is considered a "political organization." In order to be recognized again, the political organization must re-qualify by following the procedures described above. A political organization designation may last for only four years or until the organization re-qualifies as a political party.[9]

For an example of the signatures and votes needed to qualify and maintain officially recognized political party status, look to the table below.